Improved apparatus for drying hides



UNiTnn STATES PATENT OFFICE..

M. H. MERRIAM AND E. NORTON, OF OHARLESTOWVN, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR DRYING HIDES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 55,333, dated June 5, 1866.

To all whom it may concern.:

Be it known that we, M. H. MERRIAM and E. L. NORTON, both of Charles-town, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improved Apparatus for Drying Skins; and we do hereby declare that the following, taken in connection with the drawings which accompany and form part of this specification, is a description of our in` vention sufficient to enable those skilled in the art to practice it.

The invention relates to the construction of an apparatus for drying skins by exposure to heat and currents of air within a drying-case; and the invention consists of a series of sliding panels for holding1 the skins supported in guide-rails, and capable of such movement with respect to a door or opening in the drying-case in which they are contained that each panel may be entered and Withdrawn at such opening for the purpose of attachment and removal of the skins; also, in the combination, with such drying-case, movable rails, and sliding panels, of a stationary frame or rail placed outside of the case and in such position with respect to the door in the case that each panel may in turn be slid out into such frame and back into the drying-case, for the more convenient attachment and removal of the skins; also, in the arrangement of the system or series of panels radially around an axis in the center of the drying-chamber 5 also, the combination, with the stationary drying case or chamber and the movable series of rails and panels, of heating-pipes or their equivalents.

An apparatus embodying the invention is represented in the drawings, Figure l showing a side elevation, Fig. 2 a horizontal section, and Fig. 3 a central vertical and transverse section, the same.

a denotes the casing, suitably erected on a bed or platform, b, and having inlet-passages c, for the free ingress of air into the chamber formed by the casing, and provision at top for the escape of such air, so as to maintain a cir- 'culation thron gh the chamber.

d denotes a coil of pipe communicating with a suitable steam or heat generator, and extending around within the drying-chamber for the purpose of heating thesame.

c'c are panels, the opposite ends of each of which run in grooves or guide-rails f. The

by rotation of the shaft the series ot' panels are rotated, as will be readily understood. On one side ot' the casing is a door or opening,

z'. and the platform b is ext-ended out at such side to support a stationary frame, at the. opposite ends of which are two guide-groove or ways, l, extending to the door i. When the door is open the rotation of the shaft gbrings each movable rail or set of rails into line with the stationary rails, and so that each panel mayin turn be run out from the casiu g upon the' ways Zfor removal of the dried skins from the opposite surfaces of the panel and the attachment of fresh skins thereto, the panel being slid back into the case after the skins have been fastened thereupon, so that the shaft g may be turned to'bring the next panel into position to be slid out.

It will be obvious that a series of movablev panels and guide grooves or rails may be arranged parallel to each other in a rectangular box, in combination with o ne or more openings or vone or more stationary frames; but

though our invention embraces such arrangement, we consider the radial series of panels preferable, both on account of the greater compactness of the parts and the greater ease with which the panels may be handled.

In chargin g the apparatus the Wet skins are nailed or Vfastened to each panel in turn, and the heat Within the casing and the circulation of air through the same arev so graduated that during the passage of the panels once around the casing the skins become lit for removal, so that the operation of charging and removal may be continuously carried on.

Generally a free circulation of air is permitted directly through the drying-chamber; but the top of the chamber is to be connected with a main flue or ven tilatin g-tube, by closing or partially closing a damper in which the current of air may be regulated when there may be a tendency in the skins to become too dry in their passage.

l. A series of sliding panels arranged. within a drying chamber or ease and made movable with respect to an opening,` or door in sueh ease, sothat each panel as it is brought opposite to such opening' may be Wholly or partially Withdrawn from the easing for the attachment and removal of the skins.

'2. In combination with the series of panels and the movable rails which support the same,

, a stationary frame having Ways upon which each panel is guided and supported as it is slid from the drying-chamber.

3. The radial arrangement of the movable series of panels in the drying-chamber7 sub-` stantially as set fort-h.

4. The combination, with the stationary oase and movable system of sliding panels,of heating-pipes or their equivalents, substantially as set forth.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 24th day of November, A. D. 1865.

M. H. MERRIAM. VVitnesseS: E. L. NORTON.

J. B. CROSBY, FRANCIS GoULD. 

